City launches a free app for cardiac emergencies

Forty-three-year-old Kenny Smith was playing basketball at the Nuuanu YMCA in December when he suddenly passed out and stopped breathing.

Bystanders rushed to his aid, administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and used an automated external defibrillator (AED), after which he regained a pulse and started breathing.

“Five days later, I woke up in a hospital,” said Smith, who lives on the North Shore. He described himself as a “living testament” to how CPR and AED help save lives.

The city announced Wednesday its partnership with PulsePoint Foundation and CTIA Wireless Foundation on a lifesaving free mobile app called PulsePoint. The app sends notification of cardiac emergencies that may be occurring in nearby public areas through an alert sent by the 911 system.

“This app will undoubtedly save lives,” said Honolulu EMS Chief Dean Nakano during a news conference Wednesday at the Nuuanu YMCA. “Nationally there are more than 350,000 people who have sudden cardiac arrests (annually), yet only 12 percent of these patients survive.”

Approximately 30 other states are currently using the app. In 2016, Honolulu EMS responded to more than 700 cardiac arrest calls.

PulsePoint works in tandem with PulsePoint AED, another free mobile app that can be downloaded to locate the nearest defibrillator.

Officials say a user doesn’t need to be trained in CPR to respond to an alert, as the app provides visual instructions on how to administer CPR.

Kunia resident Donna Pagdilao suddenly collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest in August soon after she stood up from her chair at Queen’s Medical Center’s gastroenterology services office, where she worked as a customer service representative. A co-worker and three doctors swiftly performed CPR, reviving her after 25 minutes. The following day, Pagdilao woke up in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Doctors implanted a pacemaker, defibrillator and three stents.

Pagdilao, who celebrates her 62nd birthday today, said the app is important, as it will help save patients like her. “It’s just good to be here today. I feel great.”

For more information on PulsePoint, visit www.co.honolulu.hi.us/esd.